In the final part of our five-part series on how to plan better websites, Astute Communications owner Anna Stout discussed visual design, “the part that people really look forward to.” Yet because of today’s vast array of screen sizes and shapes, she emphasized the importance of beginning the visual design process by focusing on responsive web design.

I was working through the details of some random user interface problem, and a new email landed in my inbox. As soon as I read the harmless subject line, my heart sank a bit. I’d been asked once again to make something look pretty.

The world is full of infuriating, difficult-to-use apps and sites that ignore the needs of real people. We exist to change this. If we choose to ignore the people we’re building for, our products will be unusable.